Does the upcoming H. Upmann Nicaragua By AJ Fernandez Sunrise release look eerily similar to a box of H. Upmann Sir Winston (or what)?

[JohnS]

Is it me, or does the upcoming April 2026 release of H. Upmann Nicaragua By AJ Fernandez Sunrise look very similar to a box of H. Upmann Sir Winston? Ok, maybe not so much the text on the box exactly, but the shape of the box and its rounded corners?

Photo courtesy of Cuban Cigar Website

Photo courtesy of Tabacalera USA/Cigar Aficionado

For more information on this release visit the Cigar Aficionado article here or the Halfwheel article here.

[loose_axle]

At first I thought the first image was it and I was thinking "yeah they've ripped it right off!" then scrolled down and was like oh okay similar and does evoke the former but not a barefaced rip off. 

Meanwhile I'm booking myself in at the dementia ward. Won't be long... 

[NYGuido]

It sure is trying to make people connect the two brands, but I would imagine nobody who knows what a Sir Winnie is will be fooled by it. Still not as bad as Atabey essentially copying the Behike branding.

[Havanaaddict]

It is always funny to me, the cigar NC makers always say Cuban cigars are not as good, but they love to copy them every chance they get!🙄

[BrightonCorgi]

The NC Upmann's are pretty good cigars in general.

[WestCoastSmokin]

1 hour ago, Havanaaddict said:

It is always funny to me, the cigar NC makers always say Cuban cigars are not as good, but they love to copy them every chance they get!🙄

Oh they’d be all over them in a heartbeat if America ever lifts the trade embargo. 

1 hour ago, BrightonCorgi said:

The NC Upmann's are pretty good cigars in general.

Never had one, but might have to try one down the line just to see. It rubs me the wrong way though seeing the NC brands use the Cuban brands name. 

[BrightonCorgi]

58 minutes ago, WestCoastSmokin said:

Never had one, but might have to try one down the line just to see. It rubs me the wrong way though seeing the NC brands use the Cuban brands name. 

The last ones I tried were from H. Upmann 1844 Anejo series and they were a solid smoke.

[Havanaaddict]

I worked at a cigar shop/ lounge for many years and there was a rep that would come in and tell me the same story. All Cuban cigars are made with some Nicaraguan, Dominican, Honduran tobacco. I have seen them at the sales docks buying bails to take back to Cuba. There is no way they could grow enough tobacco to make all there cigars. My first thought was "Why would Habanos risk ruining there good name" What was funny was when ever I would give him a Cuban cigar he would smoke it and sit there in bliss😂

[Chibearsv]

Nah, no varnish and if it doesn't have the slide latch, it's not in the same ballpark.

[Allroz]

To me I can see the resemblance but I wouldn't call it super similar personally. 

[JPark3]

Seeing a 50 rg "Churchill" bothers me more than it should, lmao!

[ElLoboLoco]

It looks like others in the line, they are just running out of colors. Lol. Rafael Nodal had a hand in these, he is doing a knock-up job as a blender. I love his story when he came to the US on a boat when he was a kid.

[Bagman]

12 hours ago, Havanaaddict said:

I worked at a cigar shop/ lounge for many years and there was a rep that would come in and tell me the same story. All Cuban cigars are made with some Nicaraguan, Dominican, Honduran tobacco. I have seen them at the sales docks buying bails to take back to Cuba. There is no way they could grow enough tobacco to make all there cigars. My first thought was "Why would Habanos risk ruining there good name" What was funny was when ever I would give him a Cuban cigar he would smoke it and sit there in bliss😂

My thought on it was that Cuba could barely afford to steal tobacco from their own farmers, yet they have the money to pay full price for tobacco sold to them from other countries?  Okay then, sure.

[Capn_Jackson]

That ain’t my Sir Winnie!

[JohnS]

Altadis Launches H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise

March 9, 2026 - Press Release

Altadis U.S.A. is launching H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise, the third expression in the H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez line.

“The Sunrise is our take on a Connecticut done right,” said Gabe Diaz, Brand Manager at Altadis U.S.A. “It’s smooth and easy to enjoy, but it still has flavor and character. To kick off 2026, we wanted to give H. Upmann fans something balanced, high quality, and priced right.”

Master blenders Rafael Nodal and AJ Fernandez collaborated to create a cigar that rounds out the family with a Connecticut that complements the existing offerings.

“We were looking to craft a cigar designed for a smooth experience,” said Rafael Nodal, VP of Product Capability for Tabacalera USA. “The Sunrise release rounds out the H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez line and provides consumers with a smooth, flavorful cigar that they can come back to again and again.”

The cigars are presented in 20-count boxes. The H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise will be unveiled this April at the upcoming Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show in New Orleans and will begin shipping to retailers immediately afterwards. To support the launch, Altadis U.S.A will feature a “Summer of H. Upmann” campaign with various Trade and Consumer activations that will run from June through September 2026. 

 Blend Details

·      Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

·      Binder: Nicaraguan

·      Filler: Nicaraguan

·      Strength: Medium

H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise – Vitolas & Pricing

·      Robusto (52 x 5) – Box of 20 – $12.99 per cigar

·      Toro (54 x 6) – Box of 20 – $13.75per cigar

·      Churchill (50 x 7) – Box of 20 –$14.25 per cigar

·      Magnum (60 x 6) – Box of 20 –  $14.50 per cigar

Source: https://www.cigarjournal.com/altadis-launches-h-upmann-nicaragua-by-aj-fernandez-sunrise/